2023 Symposium Speakers

Baker, Bob 

Cultural Advisor, Performer

Bob Baker (Squamish Ancestral name is S7aplek, Hawaiian name is Lanakila) is the co-founder and spokesperson for Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song), the most reputable dance group of the Squamish Nation. Born and raised Squamish, Bob has been exercising his culture through singing, dancing and various presentations, for over 35 years.

Accomplishments range from revival of Sea-going Canoes and traditions, to cultural projects such as the 27 ft. Grandmother Welcome Figure at Ambleside Beach, to dance presentations in Taiwan, Hawaii, Japan and Switzerland (Montreaux Jazz Festival), to opening ceremonies for the Western Canada Summer Games, Nation Aboriginal Hockey Championships, International U18 Lacrosse Championships, and recently, the opening ceremony for the Canada Aboriginal Music Awards, to Blessing Ceremonies for B.C. Ferries in Germany and the Tall Ships flotilla at English Bay, Vancouver. On-going performances and projects continue throughout the Lower Mainland, Vancouver, Squamish-Whistler and Vancouver Island.

Billingsley, Jody

Principal, Beach Grove Elementary (SD 37)

Jody Billingsley has been a teacher and educational leader for the past 21 years.  He taught in Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the Bronx, New York. He currently leads as a Principal in the Delta School District.  Jody Billingsley is an educational advocate for equity, inclusion, and for doing what is in the best interest of children.  He believes all children should be able to access the curriculum and find success, and that relationships and networking are key within education systems.  Jody Billingsley received his Master of Education in Administration and Educational Leadership from UBC and is a graduate of UBC’s Transformative Education Leadership Program (TELP).

Chrona, Jo

Speaker, Education Consultant and Advocate, and Author

Jo Chrona is a speaker, education consultant and advocate, and author of Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies: An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education (2022). Jo Chrona is Ganhada of Waap K’oom and is a member of the Kitsumkalum First Nation, a Ts’msyen community in British Columbia. She is also of European ancestry. 

Jo’s professional experience includes over 25 years teaching in both the K-12 and post-secondary systems in BC, working as a Policy Analyst and Curriculum Manager for the First Nations Education Steering Committee, an Advisor to the BC Ministry of Education, and a Faculty Associate in SFU’s BC Teacher Education Program. Jo has also been involved in curriculum development and resource writing, professional learning through inquiry networks, and Indigenous education. She participated in aspects of educational transformation in BC’s K-12 system, as well as managing and contributing to the development of authentic Indigenous teacher resources. 

Jo has a Bachelor of Arts (English Major; Women’s Studies Minor) from SFU, a Diploma of Education (Guidance Studies) from UBC, and Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from UBC. Jo is passionate about helping create systemic change in K- 12 education systems to help create truly inclusive, strength-based education experiences for all learners. She currently consults and provides professional learning sessions that focus on the intersections of Indigenous education and anti-racism.

Fox, Jana

Principal, Silverthorne Elementary (SD 54)

For many years, Jana has had the privilege to learn and teach with talented educators in the Bulkley Valley School District, located on unceded Witsuwit’en territory. She is a district teacher for SD54 Indigenous Education and a vice-principal at Silverthorne Elementary. Working alongside brilliant NOIIE leaders, Jana supports school and district teams throughout British Columbia as they engage in the Spiral of Inquiry seeking ways to improve outcomes for Indigenous learners in their settings. Learning is a deeply-rooted passion for Jana, reinforced by the inspirational and creative educators she’s encountered along her learning journey, and by the wisdom of Indigenous knowledge holders and her Blackfoot ancestors. She is committed to the work that leads to quality and equitable environments that nurture the growth and well-being of all learners. Jana is always learning and strives to become a story weaver, gathering and sharing stories and taking action that contribute to positive transformations in the education system and the Indigenous community.

Halbert, Judy

Co-director, Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education
Co-leader, Transformative Educational Leadership Program, UBC

Dr. Judy Halbert is a co-director of the Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE) and co-leader of the Transformative Educational Leadership Program at UBC (TELP). Judy has served as teacher, principal, district leader and seconded director at the Ministry of Education. Judy consults extensively with school systems internationally, and is deeply committed to achieving equity and quality for all learners—and to networking for innovation and improvement across systems.

Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser were identified by the Big Change Organization as Pioneers for their work with NOIIE and in 2019, along with Debbie Leighton Stephens, they were awarded the Cmolik Prize for the enhancement of public education in British Columbia.

Judy is a co-author of Leading Through Spirals of Inquiry (2022), The Spiral Playbook (2017), Spirals of Inquiry for Equity and Quality (2013), Leadership Mindsets: Innovation and Learning in the Transformation of Schools (2009) and with Helen Timperley, A Framework for Transforming Learning in Schools: Innovation and the Spiral of Inquiry (2014).

Kaser, Linda

Co-director, Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education
Co-leader, Transformative Educational Leadership Program, UBC

Dr. Linda Kaser is a co-director of the Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE) and co-leader of the Transformative Educational Leadership Program at UBC (TELP). Linda has served as teacher, principal, district leader and seconded director at the Ministry of Education. Linda consults extensively with school systems internationally, and is deeply committed to achieving equity and quality for all learners—and to networking for innovation and improvement across systems.

Linda Kaser and Judy Halbert were identified by the Big Change Organization as Pioneers for their work with NOIIE and in 2019, along with Debbie Leighton Stephens, they were awarded the Cmolik Prize for the enhancement of public education in British Columbia.

Linda is a co-author of Leading Through Spirals of Inquiry (2022), The Spiral Playbook (2017), Spirals of Inquiry for Equity and Quality (2013), Leadership Mindsets: Innovation and Learning in the Transformation of Schools (2009) and with Helen Timperley, A Framework for Transforming Learning in Schools: Innovation and the Spiral of Inquiry (2014).

Larkin, Melissa

Darkspark Director/Co-Founder

Melissa Larkin is a skilled vocalist and songwriter. She has toured and performed for over 10 years, and worked as an arts educator since 2010. In 2007 she created The Forgotten Tour, which brought live music to people and places abandoned by mainstream touring acts. She toured 36 cities in Canada and the western United States facilitating song-writing workshops for at-risk youth, homeless shelters, old age facilities and more. Throughout her career she has used song writing to facilitate engaging educational programs. In 2012, she became an accredited arts educator through the Royal Conservatory of Music. Following this, Melissa created and launched DARKSPARK with creative partner, D’Ari Lisle, to educate and empower students. Melissa graduated with a Scholars Electives honors degree from University of Western Ontario in literature and social justice studies.

Lisle, D’Ari

Darkspark Director/Co-Founder

D’Ari Lisle is a proficient producer, songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who has been a touring performer and front man in several successful Canadian bands for over 15 years. He has been involved in every aspect of the music industry – writing, recording and producing records, working in management and agency offices, as well as producing short films and music videos. In 2012, he assisted Melissa Larkin in developing the DARKSPARK program and contributes his skill in recording and multi-media to the experiential learning experience of students participating in DARKSPARK. D’Ari studied New Media at Ryerson University, Toronto.

Louie, Dustin

Director of NITEP, Faculty of Education, UBC

Dr. Dustin Louie is a First Nations scholar from Nee Tahi Buhn and Nadleh Whut’en of the Dakelh Nation of central British Columbia. He is a member of the Beaver Clan. Dustin’s education background includes a degree in Canadian history, a master’s degree in international relations, and a PhD in educational research. The topic of Dr. Louie’s doctoral dissertation was Sexual Exploitation Prevention Education for Indigenous Girls. He has worked as an historian in a land claims law firm, studied Indigenous homelessness in Western Canada, worked internationally for non-governmental organizations in Uganda and Australia, and began his academic career as an Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor at the Werklund School of Education in the University of Calgary.

Dr. Louie is now the Director of NITEP and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia. He teaches courses related to Indigenous education, social justice, and educational philosophy; works closely with four school districts on decolonizing at the provincial and local level with government and private organizations, researches practical approaches to lndigenizing education, decolonizing education, Indigenous pedagogies, and critical theory. Dr. Louie has published in the top educational journals in Canada on diverse topics in Indigenous education.

Macintosh, Joanna

Vice Principal, Sands Secondary (SD 37)

Joanna has been an advocate for inquiry based learning for many years. She is going to discuss teaming up with students using the Spiral of Inquiry as a framework for collaboration with student leadership teams to create positive change in the Delta School District. Joanna has co-collaborated with students on inquiries into student use of social media, antiracism, identity and mental health. By building student agency through these partnerships, Joanna has seen many students inquire, learn, develop an action plan and effect positive change.

Marren, Katie

Vice Principal, Nanaimo District Secondary (SD 68)

Katie Marren believes wholeheartedly in student agency for change.  She will inspire you to work alongside students in order to create student-directed and lasting change at a school, district, or provincial level.  Katie has worked as a Vice-Principal for 5 years in School District 57 (Prince George) and she is currently a Vice-Principal at Nanaimo District Secondary School.  She was also a District Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education and she was the District Student Advisory Council (DSAC) lead in SD 57.  During her time as DSAC lead in Prince George, the student group transformed from having a voice to experiencing true agency:  the students planned, directed, and led a ground-breaking anti-racism video and workshop series which has been featured across BC and North America.  Katie believes that students not only have a voice to be heard but can be powerful co-conspirators and agents of change.  She will provide steps for and guidance in moving from student voice to student agency.

Perry, Nancy

Dorothy Lam Chair in Special Education
Professor, Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education

Nancy Perry worked as a classroom and resource teacher in school districts in British Columbia, Canada, before obtaining her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1996. Today she is the Dorothy Lam Chair in Special Education and Professor of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada. Her research has two main goals: (a) understanding how features of classrooms are implicated in children’s development of self-regulated learning (SRL); and (b) working with teachers to design activities and structure interactions with students to support SRL.

Dr. Perry has served as President of Division 15, Educational Psychology, of the American Psychological Association, and the Canadian Association of Educational Psychologists, as Associate Editor for the Journal of Learning and Instruction, and on editorial boards of the top journals in Educational Psychology, including the Journal of Educational Psychology, Educational Psychologist, Journal of Learning and Instruction, and Metacognition and Learning. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and Recipient of the Robbie Case Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Educational Psychology in Canada.

Prince, Leona

Director of Instruction, Indigenous Education (SD 91)

Siy Leona Prince sadnee. Lhts’umusyoo habilh dzees zilh. Lusilyoo haba dza gel dzut. Sne’ Joyce Prince tl’a Sbeb Gordon Barfoot habatnee. 

Leona Prince is a Dakelh woman from the Lake Babine Nation and Nak’azdli and belongs to the Lhts’umusyoo Clan. She is a descendant of Stiche and Chief Kwah. She is the mother of three amazing children and is a passionate award-winning educator.  

In 2017, she was awarded the Alumni of the Year award for Professional Excellence by the Alumini Association of UNBC, her alma mater. She also received an Indspire Award for Educational Leadership at the 2018 Guiding the Journey Educator Awards.

Leona is a sought-after speaker and has authored two children’s books, A Dance Through the Seasons, and Be a Good Ancestor which was released in the spring of 2022. 

Smith, Monique Gray

Award-winning Author, Speaker & Consultant

Monique Gray Smith is a mixed-heritage woman of Cree, Lakota and Scottish ancestry and a proud mom of twins. Monique is an accomplished consultant, writer and international speaker. Her first novel, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience, won the 2014 Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature. Monique and her family are blessed to live on Lekwungen territory in Victoria, British Columbia.

Stewart, Melanie

Assistant Deputy Minister, Education Programs in the Ministry of Education

Melanie Stewart, PhD. is an energetic and passionate public service executive who currently holds the position of Assistant Deputy Minister, Education Programs in the Ministry of Education. As a highly strategic, creative and analytical thinker, Melanie excels at building relationships across diverse organizations and leading change in complex and dynamic environments. She is compassionate and empathetic, modelling the behaviour that she wants to see across leadership teams. Since 2008, Melanie has gained diverse public sector experience, including progressively senior positions in the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue, the Climate Action Secretariat (Office of the Premier), the Ministry of Advanced Education, the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, the Public Service Agency, and the Ministry of Finance. The diversity of her experience has been deliberate: Melanie enjoys learning new things and is frequently assigned to assist teams to recognize their purpose, feel fulfilled and valued, and center critical thinking.

Prior to joining the public service, Melanie had a successful academic career including a PhD. in Political Science and an MA from York University, teaching political science and communications at York University in Toronto as well as the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University. She is also a published and award winning author (see Melanie Stewart Millar).